The pattern of acute poisonings with pesticides in Poland during the periods 1989-1990 and 1994-1995.
Pesticide constitute a large group of commonly used chemicals with diverse chemical structure and toxicity. They are intended mostly to protect plants and plant products from the activity of various harmful organisms but they can also be used as biocides. Pesticide poisonings may be due to suicidal attempts or accidental ingestion associated with improper storage in unlabelled containers. Severe cases are treated at the regional poison units while others in the in-patient and out-patient clinics all over the country. The study made us draw the conclusion that poisonings with organophosphates and dipyridyl derivatives pose an essential toxicological problem. They are usually severe and require long hospitalisation. The highest morality rate was noted also for the poisonings with organophosphates and dipyridyl derivatives. Suicidal attempts constitute the most frequent cause of the poisonings. The results of the analysis imply a necessity to replace the most harmful organophosphate and dipyridyl pesticides with others of a lower toxicity class. It should be underlined that in order to avoid an accidental misuse, pesticides should be stored in the original, labelled containers.
Kotwica
M
M
National Poison Information Centre, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lódź.
Czerczak
S
S
Rogaczewska
A
A
D015082:2,2'-Dipyridyl / Q000506:poisoning; D002219:Carbamates / Q000506:poisoning; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007306:Insecticides / Q000506:poisoning; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D010575:Pesticides / Q000145:classification / Q000506:poisoning*; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015996:Survival Rate
D002219:Carbamates; D007306:Insecticides; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D010575:Pesticides; D015082:2,2'-Dipyridyl